Mar 11, Colombo: The New Zealand government is asked to support the resolution on Sri Lanka tabled by the United States along with four other countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva when it comes up for vote on March 26.

The US-sponsored resolution calls for an international investigation into the alleged violations of humanitarian laws and human rights during the last stages of the war between Sri Lankan security forces and the Tamil Tiger terrorists.

New Zealand Green Party human rights spokesperson Jan Logie said New Zealand needs to support the independent international investigation called by the resolution.

Ms. Logie said the UNHRC session presents an opportunity for New Zealand to push for accountability and protection of human rights action in regard to the worrying situation in Sri Lanka.

The MP, who was deported from Sri Lanka last November for violating visa regulations during her visit to the island, criticized the New Zealand government for not speaking up against Sri Lanka over human rights abuses last year during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and said New Zealand's inaction in speaking out was shameful.

"New Zealand cannot continue to bury its head over human rights issues," Ms Logie was quoted in media.

New Zealand opposition parties called on the Prime Minister John Key to boycott the Commonwealth Summit after Sri Lanka detained and deported Ms. Logie along with the Australian Green Party Senator Lee Rhiannon for violating visa regulations.

The New Zealand legislator said their representatives at the UN should do all they can to support an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.

"Countries such as New Zealand need to support the long overdue international investigation into the allegations of war crimes and abuse," Ms. Logie said.